Brookfield leader proposes 2013-14 budget

Nanci G. Hutson

Published 6:11 pm, Saturday, February 16, 2013

BROOKFIELD -- In preparing a proposed 2013-14 budget, First Selectman Bill Davidson talked with police and emergency managers about the possibility of adding armed school resource officers in the town's four schools.

A group of parents recently asked the selectmen to consider adding school resource officers for the coming school year as towns around the area talk about improving security in the wake of the Dec. 14 shooting of 26 students and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

From those conversations, Davidson opted against incorporating them into his proposed $59.78 million budget, about a 5 percent increase over the current budget that includes both town and school spending.

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Board of Selectmen budget deliberations begin Thursday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Davidson's budget proposal was forwarded to his two fellow selectmen Friday afternoon.

Davidson's proposal is centered around a request for $19.4 million for municipal operations and $1.63 million in capital, increases that include 100 percent funding of the town's pension fund.

As for the school resource officer request, Davidson states in his budget summary that before the town embarks on what is estimated to cost as much as half a million dollars, he wants to hear from the governor's task force related to school security as well as evaluate all security needs for town and school facilities.

He notes that it would likely take at least a year to train and hire school resource officers.

In his proposal, Davidson seeks three additional full-time staff, including two Public Works Department employees to work on cleaning out catch basins that are critical to ongoing road maintenance.

He also is proposing an additional $20,000 to hire a 15-hour per week Zoning Enforcement Officer to handle the increase in construction activities.

The other position is for a $45,000 computer technician and a $19,000 part-time clerk in the Town Clerk's Office.

Health insurance is proposed to increase by 9 percent, and there are increases in technology throughout town departments.

Davidson said he is aware there are many new costs in this budget, but all are needs to continue the services the public requires.

He said he is ready to work with town leaders to come up with a final budget taxpayers can endorse.